Children’s Court Guardian Agency (formally NIGALA) - Derry Office

The Children’s Court Guardian Agency for Northern Ireland was formerly known as the Northern Ireland Guardian Ad Litem Agency (NIGALA).
The Agency is an Health & Social Care (HSC) Arm’s Length Body accountable to the Minister and the Department of Health.
The Agency has the primary function of providing Children’s Court Guardians who are appointed by the court to represent children and young people in public family law and adoption proceedings, currently under The Children (NI) Order 1995 and The Adoption (NI) Order 1987 which will be integrated under The Adoption and Children (NI) Order 2022.
A Children’s Court Guardian is a qualified Social Worker who has substantial experience of working with families and children’s social work, and court related work.
A Guardian will work with children and young people and that the court is informed of their wishes and feelings, and safeguard their best interests.
Referral to this service is by Court Appointment only.